Improved functionalization of oleic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can providemultiple benefits for biomedical applications in aqueous environments such asmagnetic separation or magnetic resonance imaging. To increase the colloidal stability and allow subsequent reactions, the introduction of hydrophilic functional groups onto the particles’ surface is essential. During this process, the original coating is exchanged by preferably covalently bonded ligands such as trialkoxysilanes. The duration of the silane exchange reaction, which commonly takes more than 24 h, is an important drawback for this approach. In this paper, we present a novel method, which introduces ultrasonication as an energy source to dramatically accelerate this process, resulting in high-quality waterdispersible nanoparticles around 10 nmin size. To prove the generic character, different functional groups were introduced on the surface including polyethylene glycol chains, carboxylic acid, amine, and thiol groups. Their colloidal stability in various aqueous buffer solutions as well as human plasma and serum was investigated to allow implementation in biomedical and sensing applications.status: publishe

In Situ XRD and TEM Studies of Sol-Gel-Based Synthesis of LiFePO₄

Parallel in situ TEM and XRD heating experiments of LiFePO₄ precursors obtained by sol-gel method were conducted to study changes and to understand structural and morphological evolution during synthesis annealing, which is one of the most critical stages in preparing rechargeable cathodes based on these materials. Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical testing were also performed and a basic optimization of the final step of the sol-gel process was demonstrated by comparing in situ heating data with the electrochemical performance of materials annealed at different temperatures. The results obtained from these in situ measurements, at different length scales, provided a detailed picture of the structural and morphological changes and provided a better understanding of the electrochemical behavior of the final LiFePO₄ material. The study showed a strong dependence between the electrochemical performance of LiFePO₄ synthesized by sol-gel method and annealing temperature. The best performance was obtained with a material annealed at 800 °C

1-Year Survival in a Randomized Trial of Facilitated Reperfusion Results From the FINESSE (Facilitated Intervention With Enhanced Reperfusion Speed to Stop Events) Trial

ObjectivesThe aim of this report was to evaluate 12-month outcomes of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the FINESSE (Facilitated Intervention with Enhanced Reperfusion Speed to Stop Events) trial.BackgroundTreatment delays remain common for patients with primary PCI leading to studies evaluating possible benefit of “facilitated” PCI. In the FINESSE trial, no reduction in the 90-day primary ischemic end point and an increase in bleeding were observed with both facilitated approaches, although modest favorable trends were seen for some patient subgroups.MethodsA total of 2,452 patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI) and anticipated 1 to 4 h delay until catheterization were randomized to reduced-dose reteplase + abciximab, abciximab alone, or placebo, followed by expedited primary PCI. Placebo-treated patients received abciximab in the cath lab. One-year mortality was a pre-specified secondary end point.ResultsOne-year mortalities in the 3 groups noted in the preceding text were 6.3%, 7.4%, and 7.0%, respectively (p = NS), representing 1.1%, 1.9%, and 2.5% increments since the 90-day outcome (p = 0.053 for combination treatment vs. primary PCI). A favorable trend with combination treatment was seen for patients with anterior MI (p = 0.09), but no other specified groups benefited or tended to benefit. Independent baseline correlates of 1-year mortality were systolic blood pressure <100 mm Hg, prior MI, age, Killip class >1, anterior MI, body mass index ≤25 kg/m2, heart rate >100 beats/min, and no statin use.ConclusionsThese results suggest that widespread utilization of the facilitated approaches tested cannot be justified, but that high-risk patient groups such as patients with anterior MI may deserve further study. (The FINESSE trial; NCT00046228

FOCUS 1: a randomized, double-blinded, multicentre, Phase III trial of the efficacy and safety of ceftaroline fosamil versus ceftriaxone in community-acquired pneumonia

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